Watch a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG run down a modified Subaru WRX STI in a hurry.
The video above shows a short drag race between a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG and a 3rd generation Subaru WRX STI. This race was originally shared in the Kill Stories section by MBWorld member Evil E55, with the video coming from the Instagram channel of spam_ma_subie (the owner of the STI). The video quality isn’t great, but this short clip shows the drag racing advantages of all-wheel-drive and the greater advantages of a powerful V8 engine.
The Competitors
There are no in-depth details on either of these vehicles, but we know that in stock form, the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG offered 469 horsepower and 516lb-ft of torque while the stock WRX STI delivered 305 horsepower and 290lb-ft of torque. In other words, in a race between two stock cars, the E55 should have a massive advantage, but there are a few factors which even out this particular race.
The Subaru is lighter and, of course, it has all-wheel-drive while the E55 only powers the rear wheels, so the STI has a defined advantage on the launch. Also, this Subaru has a Cobb Stage 2 performance package, so it is making more than the stock power. We don’t know how much more, but when combined with the AWD and the lighter curb weight, this race is closer than the stock power numbers would suggest.
The Race
This AMG and STI race from a dig and before the started drops his arms, we can hear the RPMs of the Subaru soar. When the race begins, the Japanese compact jumps out to such a large lead that we lose sight of the Mercedes, but after a few seconds, the V8 power overtakes the AWD and roars to victory.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
